Medication Teaching
"Avoid aged cheese and cured meats while taking these medications."
MAOI
Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
Anticholinergic effects (from antipsychotics and TCAs)
Elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity.
Mania
Encourage grounding techniques during flashbacks, reinforce safety
PTSD
"How you’re feeling today?"
Open-ended question
"Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily and report diarrhea or vomiting immediately."
Lithium
Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and altered mental status.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, hypervigilance.
PTSD
Provide structure, minimize distractions, reward task focus immediately.
ADHD
"Don't worry, everything will be fine."
False reassurance
"You must avoid alcohol and use caution due to risk of CNS depression."
Benzodiazepines
Agitation, confusion, sweating, tachycardia, and tremors.
Serotonin Syndrome
Preoccupation with physical symptoms without a medical cause.
Somatic symptom disorder
Establish clear limits and consistent consequences for defiant behavior.
ODD
"You should try talking to your family more often."
Giving advice
"Frequent blood tests are needed to monitor your white blood cell count."
Clozapine
Protruding tongue and lip smacking movements.
Tardive dyskinesia
Fluctuating levels of consciousness, acute onset of confusion.
Delirium
Frequently reorient patient to time, place, and person; ensure safety.
Dementia
"Why did you stop taking your medication?"
Requesting an explanation or "why" question
"This medication takes 2–4 weeks to reduce anxiety and does not cause sedation."
Buspirone
Nausea, diarrhea, tremor, slurred speech, polyuria, renal failure
Lithium toxicity
Loss of voluntary motor or sensory function (such as sudden paralysis, blindness, or inability to speak) without a medical explanation
Conversion disorder
Decrease stimulation and set firm behavioral limits to manage hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Mania
"It sounds like you’re feeling very frustrated."
Reflection